Urbanized areas experience heavy technological load, especially if the core of the city is associated with industrial activities. In 2018, the Perm region ranked fourth in the Volga Federal District in terms of air emissions. Chemical and mining activities in the Berezniki urban district of the Perm region make a huge contribution to increasing air pollution. Previously, it was established that the distribution of pollutants across the city was affected by the physical and geographical characteristics of the area and meteorological conditions of pollutant dispersion. The paper shows the need to monitor aerotechnogenic dispersion of elements in the snow cover within the Berezniki urban district. In March 2018, the microelement composition of the snow cover was studied with regard to 25 elements. The environmental and chemical distribution of the elements was assessed taking into account the functional use of the territory (industrial, recreational, transport, and residential areas). The degree of technogenic pollution level of melt snow water was determined by the accumulation and dispersion coefficients. On the basis of the concentration coefficient, there were identified anomalies with increased content relative to the background, those including the association Pb-Ti-Ge-Ga-Se, Ni and V. Recreational facilities were found to be subject to increased technogenic load relative to industrial areas. Spatial distribution of microelements in the snow cover of the study area was analyzed using the total pollution index Zc. The research established the need to expand the list of substances observed in the monitoring of atmospheric air pollution in the urban district and to supplement the observation programs with control of the snow cover pollution.
The current study considered the distribution of trace elements in snow cover taking into account the functional zoning of the territory of Berezniki-Solikamsk industrial hub, Perm Region, Russia. The concentrations of 22 trace elements were determined in the dissolved phase of snowmelt using ICP-MS method. On the basis of on the background approach, it was found that Ni, Se, Cu, and Sn are actively accumulated in the snow cover. Snowmelt surface runoff during snow melting period significantly contributes to the total watershed discharge of rivers; therefore, the compliance with the Russian fishery quality standards was assessed. It was found that meltwater is the source of Cu, Mn, Se, Zn, V in surface waters. Significant concentrations of Pb, Cd, W, As, Se in snow are characteristic of conditionally background sites in comparison with average values of global concentrations of dissolved trace elements in river waters, and Se, W, Pb, Ni, As, Cd are characteristic of all functional zones. This study presented the possible sources of priority pollutants. The greatest technogenic impact was observed in the area of transport infrastructure development. Upon that, recreational and residential functional zones also experience significant anthropogenic impact. In order to create a comfortable and healthy urban environment it is necessary to implement the measures to restore these areas.
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